SF no confidence motion an 'attempt to bring Westminster chaos to country'

Fianna Fail Longford/Westmeath TD Robert Troy said Sinn Fein's recent motion of no confidence in the Government was an attempt to bring “the chaos and dysfunction” of the Parliament in Westminster to the Dáil.

The Dáil voted confidence in the government by 85 votes to 66.

Speaking during the debate on Tuesday, he said: “Last week, people in Sinn Féin looked across the water to the Parliament in Westminster from which they take their expenses but in which they do not take their seats. They saw mayhem, chaos and dysfunction and they said, "How can we get some of that over here?" It seems to me that is the reason for the discussion this evening.”

Troy went on to argue that the motion did nothing for the people TDs were in the Dáil to represent.

“It is true that our country and our citizens are facing many challenges. The best way to address those challenges is to ensure we have a strong economy with the necessary resources to enable us to make interventions when they are needed, just as we did during the pandemic.

“It is because of the policies this Government has pursued that we are in a position to introduce a progressive budget and further supports to address the cost-of-living crisis. We now have 2.5 million people employed, more than were employed before the pandemic. Just today, Enterprise Ireland announced the highest-ever recorded growth. Irish businesses are creating jobs in every county. Our policies are working.

“We are in a three-party Government. There are differences and there are times when we must compromise, but what we are not compromising on is in our collective determination to address the challenges facing society today. Deputy McDonald said her party needs ten years. Tonight, with others, others who ran away from the opportunity to serve in government she and her party are judging us on two years. Fianna Fáil and our partners in government did not run away. We stood up to the challenge and we will deliver for this country.”